In a memo released Tuesday, Barack Obama's campaign made it clear that "Florida doesn't count" in the candidate selection process.
Our position and the position of the DNC is clear – neither the Florida nor Michigan primaries are playing any role in deciding the Democratic nominee and we are not campaigning in either state. |
But that's not what he told Florida voters back in September...
...Obama was asked during the event about making sure Floridians have a role in the nomination, despite the DNC sanctions and the pledge. Scarritt said Obama responded that he'll "do what's right by Florida voters." |
Well, the "Florida doesn't count" statement released by the Obama campaign certainly clarifies for ME what Obama considered "doing what's right"... doing nothing.
But who can blame him? One look at the polls would wilt the resolve of many a crusader against disenfranchisement...
Hillary Edwards Obama
IA/MO 1/15-16/08 42 9 34
Research 2000 1/14-16/08 50 13 28
Strategic Vision 1/11-13/08 45 11 39
SurveyUSA 1/11-13/08 56 14 23
Quinnipiac 1/9-13/08 52 9 31 |
source:
Pollster.com
See, supporting the rights of Florida Democrats isn't the politically expedient thing to do for Obama. He's not looking too good down in the Sunshine State. Just as labor-backed 527s were bad bad bad in Iowa and A-OK in Nevada, you gotta look at these things in perspective.
According to Adam Smith of the St. Pete Times;
Barack Obama doesn't care what Florida Democrats say on Jan. 29.
In a memo released Tuesday, he reiterated his long-standing view that their primary votes will be worthless. And he vaguely charged that Hillary Rodham Clinton may violate her pledge not to campaign in Florida by holding events here later this month.
...
"Maybe we should send that memo to all the Democratic voters in Florida," (Hillary fundraiser) Korge quipped of the Obama e-mail.
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This didn't go over well with some Florida voters. Ana Cruz, a Tampa-based Democratic consultant and Hillary Clinton backer, is accusing Barack Obama of downplaying Florida's primary. She writes:
"The campaign of Senator Barack Obama issued a statement yesterday saying, "neither the Florida or Michigan primaries are playing any role in deciding the Democratic nominee". Senator Obama, the last person to disenfranchise Florida Democratic voters was George Bush. Although you say you support "Change", what you are saying to Florida Democrats is "More of the same". Senator Obama cleverly tries but the blame for this on the DNC. But he well knows, it is the convention delegates themselves who decide who gets seated at the convention. And several of those delegates will be pledged to Barack Obama. Senator Obama needs to drop the political games here and talk straight to Florida Democrats before we vote.
Senator Obama, will you instruct your delegates in Denver to seat the delegation from Florida, or will you join Karl Rove and Katherine Harris in making sure that our votes don't count?" |
Let's check in with Hillary, and see how she feels about the disenfranchisement of Florida Democrats. Here is her campaign's statement ot the media.
To: Interested Parties From: The Clinton Campaign
Regarding: Michigan and Florida Presidential Primaries
The Obama campaign today circulated a memo regarding today’s Michigan primary and the January 29 Florida primary. This memo was concerning on several levels.
Let us be very clear. Senator Clinton signed a pledge that she would not campaign in any state that violates the DNC approved calendar. Therefore, we did not campaign in Michigan, nor will we campaign in Florida in violation of the pledge. We have two small scheduled fundraisers in South Florida on January 27, as explicitly permitted by the pledge, but we will not hold any open public campaign events. The Obama campaign has also held numerous fundraisers in Florida since signing the pledge. Contrary to the Obama campaign’s memo, there are no events at large venues, nor have we organized in the state. We intend to do so as our party’s nominee in the general election, but will honor our pledge not to campaign there in violation of the pledge.
Let us be clear about something else, however. While Senator Clinton will honor her commitment not to campaign in Florida in violation of the pledge, she also intends to honor her pledge to hear the voices of all Americans. The people of Michigan and Florida have just as much of a right to have their voices heard as anyone else. It is disappointing to hear a major Democratic presidential candidate tell the voters of ANY state that their voices aren’t important.
Make no mistake — the Obama campaign had no problems when its supporters and allies in Michigan ran radio ads and other campaign activities urging people to vote for "uncommitted" as a way to register their support for Senator Obama — and to give him a chance to compete for those delegates at the national convention (link). Now, with polls in recent days showing that effort and their candidate running far behind in both states, the Obama campaign has shifted tactics to say that those who cast a vote in either state don’t matter. We couldn’t disagree more.
Senator Clinton intends to be President for all fifty states. And while she will honor the pledge she signed and not campaign in either state, she intends to continue to give every American a voice during this election and when she gets to the White House.
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Thank you, Senator Clinton. We want this one to count.